videos

interviews

report

GENOA - Adriano's first goal for Inter since his Champions League hat-trick against Porto in March gave the Nerazzurri a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria in Genoa, a match the Blucerchiati desperately needed to win to keep their Champions League qualifying hopes alive.

Samp dictated play for long stretches and twice hit the woodwork through Pisano and Kutuzov in the first half. But Inter soaked up the pressure and hit their opponents on the break six minutes before the break when Julio Cruz fed the ball through to Adriano, who sidestepped Antonioli then slotted into an open goal to score his 26th goal in all competitions this season.

Novellino's men continued to create chances after the restart and went closest when substitute Edusei rattled the post with a long-range screamer. Inter's best chance of increasing their lead fell to Dejan Stankovic, whose volley from a Martins cross in the final minute was blocked by Samp defender Pisano.